Xi Ying looked elegant and noble in a bright red cheongsam, while Yan Ning looked elegant and graceful in a moon-white cheongsam.

E'lan looked at the two of them, who were as still as stone statues, and was at a loss for what to do. She did not expect that Xi Ying would turn against Yan Ning and disregard Fukang'an's wishes in order to protect her position and reassure her father on the frontier.

Yan Ning, lacking the composure and calmness that Xi Ying had cultivated over the years, spoke first and asked, "Did you tamper with anything at the Peony Hall that day?"

Xi Ying chuckled softly, then frowned and said, "The blood-stained handkerchief that could prove your innocence has already turned to ashes in my hands!"

The rosy glow faded, leaving only a hazy yellow hue, and the vibrant colors of the garden lost their splendor. Without the sunlight, the golden-edged daphne lost its noble status as the finest daphne.

Yan Ning had also suspected Xi Ying, but Xi Ying was too gentle and virtuous, and repeatedly backed down on the matter of Fukang'an wanting to marry her, which filled Yan Ning with guilt. Yan Ning raised her right hand, and the handkerchief in her hand flew out with the wind, landing on a cluster of yellow jasmine flowers.

When her hand touched Xi Ying's face, Yan Ning stopped. She began to pity Xi Ying, who, for the sake of her position in her husband's eyes, had to please those women she hated and despised, constantly yielding to others. Countless nights, she had lost her true self amidst jealousy and hatred.

Seeing Yan Ning raise her hand, Xi Ying closed her eyes, waiting for her to strike. But a gust of wind passed by, and Yan Ning's hand did not fall. "Why didn't you strike?" Xi Ying asked, opening her eyes.

Seeing Yan Ning's handkerchief fly away, Zhu Xiang hurriedly picked it up. Yan Ning took the handkerchief from Zhu Xiang's hand, looked into Xi Ying's eyes and said, "I'm afraid of getting my hands dirty!" After saying that, Yan Ning took Zhu Xiang's hand and returned the way they came.

E'lan couldn't figure out whether today's situation was advantageous or disadvantageous to her. Yan Ning knowing Xi Ying's true colors was equivalent to Fu Kang'an knowing them. Having achieved her goal, E'lan gently took Lingdang's hand and went to find her father.

In the garden at dusk, Xia'er supported Xi Ying's body, which was about to collapse in the wind.

Xi Ying lacked E Lan's family background and Xiang'er's genuine nature; she had a father exiled to the frontier, three unworthy brothers, and a maternal family that relied on her for everything. In this Fucha mansion, she could only rely on feigned gentleness and virtue to maintain her position, letting outsiders know she was the lady of the Fucha family. That way, no one would dare bully her fallen maternal family. "Reflecting quietly, I deeply grieve!" Xi Ying looked up, letting tears stream down her face, sliding over her thick makeup.

Xia'er wasn't very literate and didn't understand what Xi Ying meant, but having grown up in the manor, she knew that her mistress had broken ties with Yan Ning today. Although Yan Ning wasn't favored by the old lady, she was still the general's darling. Xia'er looked at Xi Ying, who had slapped Yan Ning, with concern.

The current emperor most disliked officials gathering to criticize state affairs, so allowing Fukang'an to celebrate his mother's birthday in this way was already an act of great imperial grace. Fukang'an dared not offend the emperor, so the old lady's birthday banquet was extremely lavish yet very short. After the two theatrical performances, the servants of the Fucha household presented each guest with a small gift with both hands. The guests immediately understood the meaning, accepted it with both hands, and took their leave one by one.

Yan Ning, her face veiled in white, arrived at the west courtyard just as Fu Kang'an was seeing off his guests. Yan Ning released Zhu Xiang's hand, ran up to him, and hugged Fu Kang'an tightly.

Fukang'an was initially taken aback, then he hugged Yan Ning tightly. His smile was as warm and pleasant as the spring sun in March.

Seeing this, Zhao Xing asked the guests to leave and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, most of the guests had already left, otherwise Yan Ning would have been punished by the old lady again for her actions.

After what happened with You Yuanzhi and Xi Ying, Yan Ning was both emotionally and physically traumatized. Leaning against Fu Kang'an's chest, Yan Ning finally felt relieved and fainted in his arms.

After entrusting the affairs of the West Courtyard to Fulongan, Fukang'an carried Yan Ning back to Jianguozhai. Fulongan personally escorted the old lady back to Mudan Hall and originally intended to go to Jianguozhai to remind Fukang'an not to be obsessed with women, but fearing that Fukang'an would not listen to him, he turned around and returned to the Princess's Mansion.

As soon as the old lady returned to Peony Hall, she ordered the servants to close the courtyard gates and refuse all visitors.

Xi Ying knelt outside the Peony Hall, holding a military whip in both hands, begging the old lady for punishment. "Mother, it is Xi Ying who has disgraced the Fucha family. Please punish me! Please don't upset your health!" As she spoke, Xi Ying placed her hands flat on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly. She had already offended Fukang'an, and only by clinging tightly to the old lady as her lifeline could she avoid being driven out of the Fucha family and separated from her own flesh and blood.

Xia'er knelt beside Xi Ying, watching with heartache as her forehead turned from white to red, then to bruises, and finally bled. Xia'er stopped Xi Ying and said urgently, "Madam! Don't kowtow anymore, your forehead is bleeding!"

Xi Ying shouted sternly, "How dare you! The General's wife is in Jian Gong Zhai now, you mustn't talk nonsense! I angered the Old Madam, but she is kind and won't punish me. How can I be so shameless!" Xia'er immediately shut up upon hearing this and dared not stop Xi Ying any longer.

The night was deep, and the streets around the Peony Hall were already lit up with lanterns by servants, making the hall even more quiet. The sound of Xi Ying kowtowing in the dead of night caused the timid maids to detour when passing by the Peony Hall. Xia'er, unable to bear the soreness in her knees, stood beside Xi Ying to keep her company.

The door creaked open, and Granny Li stepped out from the vermilion courtyard gate. Xi Ying's hair was disheveled, barely concealing her blood-stained face. Granny Li trembled at the sight, turning her face away, unable to look at Xi Ying any longer. "Please go back, Aunt Ying! The Old Madam said that since Aunt Ying can maintain such a high posture, she can certainly handle the aftermath!"

Xi Ying pressed her forehead against the cold stone path. She stood up, holding the whip in her hand, and gave a slight curtsy to Granny Li. "Please tell my mother that I thank her for not blaming me!" Granny Li lowered her head and entered the Peony Hall.

Xia'er helped Xi Ying walk towards Changting Garden, Xi Ying's heart filled with worry. The old lady wouldn't pursue the matter of her inviting the guests out of the Fucha Mansion, but getting past Fukang'an and Yan Ning would be difficult. This day was bound to come eventually, it was just a matter of sooner or later. Thinking of this, Xi Ying relaxed and stopped worrying.

Back at Changting Garden, Delin and a group of servants waited at the gate. When Xiying saw Delin, her eyes welled up, and two streams of tears mixed with blood flowed down her cheeks. The servants hesitated, not daring to approach, but Delin rushed forward and embraced Xiying.

Leading Xi Ying back to the main room, De Lin took the handkerchief Qiu'er handed him and gently wiped the blood and tears from Xi Ying's face. The more De Lin wiped, the more tears Xi Ying shed, but De Lin's small hands tirelessly continued wiping.

Xi Ying hugged De Lin, wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, and said to De Lin, "Mother will not give up easily! Mother will definitely make you the most honored child in the Fucha family!"